Alert archive / Massachusetts / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 19, NWS Boston/Norton, MA

June 18, 2026Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Worcester County, Massachusetts

NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 18, 2026, 5:55 PM EDT for Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Worcester County, Massachusetts. It was in force for 21 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jun 18, 2026, 5:55 PM EDT (21:55 UTC)
Expired
Jun 18, 2026, 6:16 PM EDT
In force
21 min
Issued by
NWS Boston/Norton, MA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Tornado
Possible
Hail
0.75 in
Wind
60.0 mph

Counties Middlesex County, MA, Norfolk County, MA, Worcester County, MA

The radar

The Boston radar (KBOX), 62 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:57 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this severe thunderstorm warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

IssuedProductOfficeLasted
Jun 18, 1:45 PM EDTTornado WatchSPC5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Brookhaven, NY (KOKX), launched 12:00Z, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 172 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-06-18Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 22 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Brookhaven, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-06-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 323 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
22 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-101 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
583 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
53 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
323 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
384 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

763 
WUUS51 KBOX 182155
SVRBOX
MAC017-021-027-182300-
/O.NEW.KBOX.SV.W.0019.260618T2155Z-260618T2300Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
555 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

The National Weather Service in Boston/Norton has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Southeastern Worcester County in central Massachusetts...
  West central Norfolk County in eastern Massachusetts...
  South central Middlesex County in northeastern Massachusetts...

* Until 700 PM EDT.

* At 555 PM EDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Charlton, or
  10 miles southwest of Worcester, moving east at 30 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

* Locations impacted include...
  Worcester, Framingham, Marlborough, Shrewsbury, Franklin, Milford,
  Hudson, Westborough, Grafton, Sudbury, Holden, Ashland, Bellingham,
  Auburn, Northbridge, Hopkinton, Northborough, Oxford, Holliston,
  and Uxbridge.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for central and
northeastern Massachusetts.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a
building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for central and
northeastern Massachusetts.

&&

LAT...LON 4211 7207 4224 7207 4241 7148 4210 7136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2155Z 264DEG 28KT 4216 7196 

TORNADO...POSSIBLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...<.75 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

BW
1 follow-up statement
857 
WWUS51 KBOX 182216
SVSBOX

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
616 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

MAC017-021-027-182226-
/O.CAN.KBOX.SV.W.0019.000000T0000Z-260618T2300Z/
Worcester MA-Norfolk MA-Middlesex MA-
616 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN WORCESTER...WEST
CENTRAL NORFOLK AND SOUTH CENTRAL MIDDLESEX COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe
limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning has
been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 700 PM EDT for central and
northeastern Massachusetts.

LAT...LON 4211 7207 4224 7207 4241 7148 4210 7136
TIME...MOT...LOC 2209Z 264DEG 28KT 4217 7174 

$$

BW

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Boston/Norton, MA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jun 18, 3:06 PM EDT, 2 hours 49 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Gusty southerly winds with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible late this afternoon and evening. Risk for a few severe storms with damaging wind as the primary threat.
  • Dry weather Friday and Saturday with gusty west winds.
  • Chances for a widespread rain Monday into Tuesday. Drier with seasonable temperatures follow for midweek.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 18, 3:06 PM EDT, 2 hours 49 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
306 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Gale Warnings posted for the eastern coastal waters as well as
the MA bays and sounds.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Gusty southerly winds with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible
  late this afternoon and evening. Risk for a few severe storms
  with damaging wind as the primary threat.

- Dry weather Friday and Saturday with gusty west winds.

- Chances for a widespread rain Monday into Tuesday. Drier with
  seasonable temperatures follow for midweek.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...Gusty southerly winds with scattered showers and
thunderstorms possible late this afternoon and evening. Risk for a
few severe storms with damaging wind as the primary threat.

Plentiful cloud cover around this morning and early afternoon has
lead to limited building of instability so far this afternoon ahead
of the cold front. However, we are starting to see breaks in the
clouds in western MA and CT. SPC mesoanalysis shows fairly strong
shear/helicity values with 0-6 km shear 60 kts or greater and SRH
values 200-500 m2/s2 which is not surprising given the strong LLJ
presence in the region. This is generally on track with what
was anticipated previously with a low instability, high shear
environment for this afternoon and evening. We are still seeing
the threat for scattered showers and thunderstorms this
afternoon/evening, but there is some question on the coverage
due to the limited instability. Based on high-res CAMs the main
line of storms pushes into western MA closer to 3 PM pushing
eastward through the early evening timeframe. Based on the
environment, it is still supportive of some strong to severe
storms with damaging winds as the main threat followed by a low
risk for a tornado or two given the strong helicity values. Any
linger showers or storms push out of the east coast/Cape area by
10 PM.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Dry weather Friday with gusty west winds.

Dry conditions expected Friday post-cold front. A strong
pressure gradient remains in place as low pressure tracks to the
north resulting in gusty west winds 25-35 mph in the
afternoons. Temperatures will be fairly seasonable ranging in
the mid 70s to low 80s with comfortable humidity levels.

KEY MESSAGE 3...Chances for a widespread rain Monday into
Tuesday. Drier with seasonable temperatures follow for midweek.

Gusty westerly winds continue into Saturday, but will be dry with
high temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s near the coast and low
humidity. For Sunday, temperatures in the 80s creep a bit farther
inland, with a little higher humidity. There does look to be some
chances for afternoon showers Sunday afternoon into the evening, but
better potential for a widespread rain comes Monday and into Tuesday
as low pressure tracks northward through the Mid Atlantic and into
New England. NBM probability for at least 0.75" of rain Monday
morning through Tuesday morning are between 60% and 75% for the
area. Some uncertainty remains in the track of the low, as there is
some variation among the global models. This will influence the
forecast rainfall amounts, but overall, does look to be a good
wetting rain.

Behind this system, high pressure starts to push in from the west,
bringing a return to drier weather and seasonable temperatures
through the middle of the work week.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

Today...Moderate confidence.

A period of MVFR with even localized IFR conditions possible in
areas near the Cape. The main threat for scattered SHRA and
TSRA will be this afternoon and early evening ahead of the cold
front. A few strong to severe TSRA are possible. Main threat
will be between 19-00Z for showers/storms.

A strong LLJ will result in southerly wind gusts of 25 to 35 kt
by afternoon with a few gusts perhaps near 40 kt.
Localized/brief stronger winds possible if any severe TSRA
develop. LLWS expected towards the Cape and islands.

Tonight...High confidence.

Any lingering SHRA/TSRA should depart the coast by 01Z with
conditions quickly improving to VFR thereafter. Lower cigs/vsbys
may linger until midnight or so for parts of the Cape and
Islands. WSW winds 10-15 kts shifting to the W overnight.

Friday...High Confidence.

VFR. Gusty W winds up to 20-30 kt.

KBOS Terminal...Moderate confidence in TAF.

KBDL Terminal...Moderate confidence in TAF.

Outlook /Friday Night through Tuesday/...

Saturday through Saturday Night: VFR. Breezy.

Sunday: VFR. Chance SHRA, slight chance TSRA.

Sunday Night: VFR. Slight chance SHRA.

Monday: Mainly VFR, with local IFR possible. Breezy. Chance
SHRA, slight chance TSRA.

Monday Night: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. Windy with
local gusts up to 30 kt. SHRA likely, slight chance TSRA.

Tuesday: VFR. Breezy. Chance SHRA.

&&

.MARINE...
Forecaster Confidence Levels...

Low - less than 30 percent.
Moderate - 30 to 60 percent.
High - greater than 60 percent.

Through Friday: High confidence.

Gusty S to SW winds expected today. Gale Warnings still in place
to account for the gusts 30-40 kts. Small Craft Advisories
continue for the southern waters, but will continue to monitor
for gusts that may exceed criteria for Gales as it may be close.
Rough seas and gusty winds likely linger across the outer
southern coastal waters into Saturday, but not confident enough
yet to extend the existing advisories.

Outlook /Friday Night through Tuesday/...

Saturday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up
to 25 kt. Areas of rough seas.

Saturday Night: Winds less than 25 kt. Local rough seas.

Sunday: Winds less than 25 kt. Seas locally approaching 5 ft.

Sunday Night: Winds less than 25 kt.

Monday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with local
gusts up to 30 kt. Areas of rough seas. Slight chance of rain
showers. Local visibility 1 to 3 nm.

Monday Night: Strong winds with gusts up to 30 kt. Rough seas
up to 10 ft. Rain showers likely, slight chance of
thunderstorms.

Tuesday: Low risk for Small Craft Advisory winds with gusts up
to 25 kt. Seas up to 5 ft. Chance of rain showers.

&&

.BOX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...None.
MA...None.
RI...None.
MARINE...Gale Warning until 7 PM EDT this evening for ANZ230-251.
     Gale Warning until 10 PM EDT this evening for ANZ231>234-250-
     280.
     Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT Friday for ANZ235-237-
     254>256.
     Small Craft Advisory until 7 PM EDT this evening for ANZ236.

&&

DISCUSSION...Mensch/Sava
AVIATION...Mensch
MARINE...Mensch

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 18, 4:25 PM EDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
425 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0350 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 NNE Ashfield          42.56N 72.76W
06/18/2026                   Franklin           MA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down on wires on March Road. Report
            relayed by amateur radio.

&&

as
Local storm report, Jun 18, 4:27 PM EDT, 1 hour 28 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
427 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0420 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     2 WSW Erving            42.58N 72.44W
06/18/2026                   Franklin           MA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down on wires on Farley Road. Report
            relayed by amateur radio.

&&

as
Local storm report, Jun 18, 4:41 PM EDT, 1 hour 14 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
441 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0410 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Warwick                 42.69N 72.33W
06/18/2026                   Franklin           MA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down on wires on Old Winchester Road.
            Report relayed by amateur radio.

&&

as
Local storm report, Jun 18, 5:10 PM EDT, 45 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
510 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0440 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     1 N Ashby               42.70N 71.82W
06/18/2026                   Middlesex          MA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Large tree down on wires on New Ipswich Road
            at the intersection with Simonds Road.
            Report relayed by amateur radio.

&&

as
Local storm report, Jun 18, 5:12 PM EDT, 43 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
512 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0506 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     3 N Rutland             42.41N 71.96W
06/18/2026                   Worcester          MA   Fire Dept/Rescue

            Tree down on wires on Campbell Street.
            Report relayed by amateur radio.

&&

as
Local storm report, Jun 18, 5:14 PM EDT, 41 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
514 PM EDT Thu Jun 18 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0425 PM     Tstm Wnd Dmg     Winchendon              42.69N 72.04W
06/18/2026                   Worcester          MA   Trained Spotter

            Numerous trees down in the Winchendon area,
            some of which are blocking roads.

&&

as

The office that day

Everything else NWS Boston/Norton, MA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 18, 2:22 AM EDTGale WarningBOX20 hr
Jun 18, 3:00 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXFranklin, Hampshire60 min
Jun 18, 4:05 PM EDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBOXFranklin, Middlesex, Worcester55 min
Jun 18, 5:23 PM EDTTornado WarningBOXMiddlesex, Worcester31 min
Jun 18, 5:30 PM EDTTornado WarningBOXHampden, Hampshire, Worcester26 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Massachusetts, 2026Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.